This used Lexus ES250 luxury sedan selling price starts from a low RM60k today
About 11 years ago, Lexus Malaysia launched a luxury sedan for just RM279,800. However, because it looked a little too close to its bread and buyer sibling, the Toyota Camry 2.5L, some buyers ignored this car and decided to pay more and get a German made luxury sedan.
The German rivals, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were all more expensive, but offered that much wanted ‘snob appeal’.
Then there was the Volvo S60. But it was rather dated and lacked the ‘presence’ of its SUV siblings.
Well, back to the Lexus ES. This 2.5L normal aspirated sedan was a large and very well equipped vehicle and with high safety equipment. Many visited the Lexus showroom for a test drive, but remarked how close it was to the much lower priced sibling, the Toyota Camry.
If you were on the many who tested the ES and decided not to buy, you would remember that its on-road manners were difficult to fault, and as relaxed cruiser, the ES250 was pretty hard to have issue with.
In keeping with its limousine image, the ride was wonderfully balanced and compliant absorbing road imperfections and hollows without wallowing or being skittish unnecessarily.
The long wheelbase meant that even larger imperfections on the road surface barely registered back to its occupants inside.
Around town, thanks to a tight turning circle, the ES250 was easy to drive around car parks and narrow laneways which belied its ‘large-car’ dimensions.
The well-tuned 6-speed semi-auto gearbox transmits power effortlessly and the engine can be kept singing at its best for most situations. This ES250 sedan employed a retuned version of the Toyota-engineered Dual VVT-I engine that was used in the Toyota Camry.
At idle, there is no engine note that creeps into the well insulated cabin. Lexus claimed a zero to 100km/h in 9.8 seconds with top speed limited to 207km/h, yet when you’re cruising along, this car never felt more than satisfyingly brisk.
With limousine levels of rear legroom that provides the passenger accommodation in the ES250 a clear and distinct advantage over many others in the segment. Further back, an equally generous boot means nothing need be left behind.
The standard Lexus Premium Sound System features eight-speakers with Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL), in-dash CD player and an USB/iPod connectivity. This Display Audio package adds a seven-inch screen for vehicle information display and a rear backup camera.
Buyers Attention
With any used luxury sedan, the first item to look out for is accident damage. It is common to have small dings and nicks as we live in a country with many inconsiderate bikers and drivers.
But you want to check for ‘major’ accident damage. Open the front and rear hoods and check the welding lines along the side of the inner panels for welding damage. You will want a car that has NOT be repainted.
Original Lexus paint is the best. Common colour will be silver, black and pearl white. My personal favourite is the black with the chrome bits around the car standing out.
The Lexus cabin carpet, leather and panels are all high grade and easy to notice if marked badly, flood damage or been in an unwanted situation.
If the unit is a Lexus Malaysia imported unit, you can get a report from Lexus Malaysia dealer, but the used car dealer would have service documents handy for you to view to make sure that cars mileage has NOT been tampered. Try and test as many features in the car as possible. Stereo, AC, power windows etc.
Last service receipt will have the mileage recorded and then check the odometer to see so much more it is. 3km to 8km more is acceptable as most 2nd owners will service every 8km to 10km.
We suggest 6km to 7km for preventive maintenance.
So, what will be the price of German made rival from the same year? Well, a BMW 5 Series will be about RM40k or so, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be about the same as the Lexus ES and the Audi A6 about the BMW asking price.
Take note. The 2014 Lexus ES will be the easiest to maintain and will provide you with the lowest ownership headache.
Lexus ES 2.5 Specification
Engine: DOHC 16V Dual VVT-I
Capacity: 2494cc
Max power: 181bhp @ 6000rpm
Max torque: 235Nm @ 4100rpm
Top Speed: 207km/h
0-100km/h: 9.8secs
Transmission: 6-speed auto
